Archive for July, 2010

Rigati with Green Peas

Cook pasta per package directions. While pasta is cooking, heat the oil and sauté the onions about 5 minutes until golden. Add the garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add salt, pepper, sage, peas and water. Bring to a boil, reduce flame and simmer about 5 to 7 minutes. If using fresh peas, cook about 12 minutes or until tender. Turn off the flame. Remove half of the peas and liquid, and puree in a blender until smooth. Combine the pureed peas with remaining whole peas. Mix thoroughly. When the pasta is done, remove, drain and serve with fresh pea mixture on top of each serving or mix the sauce together with the pasta and serve.

Eat Nuts, Reduce Cholesterol

I just read about a new study in the New York Times on how eating nuts can improve your cholesterol levels. The study found that eating 2.4 servings of nuts (of any kind): Reduces your total cholesterol level Reduces your LDL “bad” cholesterol level Improves your ratio of total cholesterol to HDL “good” cholesterol In [...]

Eat Nuts, Reduce Cholesterol is a post from: Laurel On Health Food

Bee Pollen

Over the last two years I’ve been having fun trying different superfoods and figuring out how to add them into my daily diet. I recently bought some bee pollen and added it to my morning smoothie. It was really easy to incorporate and soft enough that I didn’t need to soak it before putting it [...]

Bee Pollen is a post from: Laurel On Health Food

Upgrade: Scrambled Eggs

I’ve been very active this summer with dance classes and cardio workouts at the gym, so naturally my appetite has increased. Man, sometimes I feel like I’m snacking all day long! I often have eggs for breakfast because they fill me up and have lots of protein, vitamin D, selenium, and carotenoids (the antioxidants that [...]

Upgrade: Scrambled Eggs is a post from: Laurel On Health Food

7 Free Avocado Recipes

Avocados are a staple for me. I use them almost every day in salads, shakes, sandwiches, or to eat plain as a side dish. I love avocados because they’re filling and versatile. Plus they have a wonderfully creamy quality that makes them a perfect substitute for mayonnaise. I love having mashed up avocado spread on [...]

7 Free Avocado Recipes is a post from: Laurel On Health Food

Healthy Summer Dessert

Do you feel like you always avoid desserts for fear of gaining weight? If so, I know how ya feel. Many popular desserts are loaded with unhealthy ingredients and tons of calories. But, here’s the good news. Having something sweet every once in awhile can feel really good, especially when you can have something that’s [...]

Healthy Summer Dessert is a post from: Laurel On Health Food

Fresh Tomato Salsa

I made a big batch of basic tomato salsa over the weekend. Every now and then I buy ready-made salsa from the grocery store, but I’m so happy when I take the effort to make it at home. There’s nothing like a fresh tomato salsa! This is yet another recipe with heart-healthy lycopene. Plus, it [...]

Fresh Tomato Salsa is a post from: Laurel On Health Food

Citrus Avocado Salad

After I wrote the post on lycopene earlier this week, I was in the mood for some pink grapefruit. I found a huge organic pink grapefruit at my favorite health food store, Westerly’s Natural Market, and decided to make a quick fruit salad for breakfast on Wednesday. We have fresh spearmint growing in our indoor [...]

Citrus Avocado Salad is a post from: Laurel On Health Food

Heart-Healthy Lycopene

Lycopene is the healthy phytonutrient that gives the bright red color to produce such as watermelon and tomatoes. Studies show that lycopene helps keep your blood vessels in their best shape, prevents cancer, and keeps your cholesterol at healthy levels. Here are some of the best food sources of lycopene: Watermelon Tomatoes (red, orange, and [...]

Heart-Healthy Lycopene is a post from: Laurel On Health Food

Italian Bread Salad

When we saw a movie in the park last week, one of my friends Angela brought a beautiful Italian Bread Salad to share. It looked so delicious, filling, AND healthy, so I had to snap a quick picture and ask how she made it. This mediterranean-style recipe is a great way to use up a [...]

Italian Bread Salad is a post from: Laurel On Health Food